1. Archie Bradley RHP: The 6’4” 235 lb 22 year-old righty has been atop the Arizona Diamondbacks prospects list for over a year. Many believed Bradley would get a shot with the club in 2014, and his chances seemed to increase as the Dbacks had an awful year, but he failed to excel at the upper divisions of the minor leagues. Add injuries and inconsistencies to bad pitching numbers, and Bradley didn’t even get a cup of coffee. I got to see Bradley pitch in the AFL all star game, and he impressed me with his easy delivery and Matt Cain like big body frame.
There have been talks from the Dbacks camp that Bradley has a lot of work to do to become a consistent Major Leaguer, but he is young enough to mature and develop. The stuff is there, as he throws a fastball with movement in the mid to upper 90s. His curveball is good at times, but a couple more years of hard work should help develop the pitch into his out pitch. He needs to work on his third pitch, the change-up, especially if he wants to have a long career in the Majors. Bradley’s athleticism, frame, and velocity make him a high ceiling guy that should contribute in Arizona soon.
ETA: 2015
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